Have you ever noticed that, despite having washed your clothes, the smell of sweat persists? This happens because odor-causing bacteria are not always eliminated completely in washing cycles at low temperatures.

Washing at 60ºC or higher could be a solution, but it is not ideal for delicate fabrics or the environment due to the energy expenditure involved.

Fortunately, There are effective and ecological home remedies that can help you combat this problem.

Why is citric acid effective?

The remedy is called citric acid, a natural compound found in fruits such as lemons and oranges and which is a powerful ally to remove sweat odor from clothing in a gentle and skin-friendly way.

iStockphoto

In addition to being ecological, it has antibacterial and deodorizing properties that make it a excellent option to eliminate persistent odors on clothes.

Its action not only neutralizes the bacteria that cause bad odor, but also It also helps remove yellowish stains that some deodorants with aluminum salts leave on white clothes.

However, it is important Please note that citric acid has a whitening effect, Therefore, it is recommended to use it mainly on light-colored clothing.

If you apply it correctly, you will notice that your clothes not only smell fresh, but it also looks cleaner.

How to use citric acid to eliminate sweat odor

iStockphoto

You can find citric acid in drugstores, department stores and organic stores.

1. Prepare the dilution: In a large container, pour about a liter of water and add four teaspoons of citric acid powder. Mix well until the powder is completely dissolved.

2. Soak clothes: Immerse clothes that smell like sweat in the dilution and make sure they are well soaked. Let them sit for an hour so that the citric acid acts on the bacteria.

3. Wash as usual: After soaking, put the clothes in the washing machine and use your usual detergent. If the smell was very strong, you can repeat the process or simply rinse the clothes before washing them.

This method It is not only effective but also gentle on the skin, since it does not leave aggressive chemical residues on clothing. In addition, it is an ecological alternative that reduces the use of aggressive and potentially harmful chemicals in the home.

Other home remedies to eliminate the smell of sweat

Although citric acid is an excellent option, it is not the only one. We can find other natural solutions to eliminate the persistent smell of sweat.

iStockphoto

Vinegar and baking soda are two other home remedies which can also help you combat bad odor in clothes:

• Cleaning vinegar is known for its antibacterial and deodorizing properties. To use it, Mix it with warm water in a ratio of 4:1. Soak the clothes in this solution for an hour and then wash them as usual. The vinegar smell will disappear after washing.
• Baking soda It is a natural stain remover and also helps neutralize odors. Prepare a solution with five liters of water and a tablespoon of baking soda. Soak the clothes for several hours, preferably overnight, and then wash them in the washing machine. Please note that, like citric acid, baking soda can have a whitening effect, so it is better to use it on light clothes.

Prevents the smell from returning

To keep your clothes fresh for longer, it is important that empty the washing machine immediately after the wash cycle and hang the clothes to dry as soon as possible.

If damp clothes are left in the washer for too long, bacteria can multiply quickly, causing the odor to return or other bad odors to appear in the washer due to the mold development.

If you have been interested in this article and would like to receive more about a healthy lifestyle, join the Bodymente WhatsApp channel.

Download for free the eBook Dinners to sleep better from Bodymente magazine. You will discover the best foods, tips and recipes to sleep straight and wake up feeling new.